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You have the chance to become our 50 millionth passenger. This is how many people the airlines of Aeroflot Group have carried year-to-date in 2017. Almost two thirds of them — 33 million travellers — have flown with Aeroflot — Russian Airlines, one of the world’s largest airlines.

Aeroflot reclaimed this status following its recognition this summer as one of the world’s top 20 airlines by passenger traffic. After a hiatus of almost 30 years — representing not the USSR but Russia on the international stage — Aeroflot has re-established itself in the top tier of global aviation.

Today Aeroflot is also acknowledged as the world’s strongest airline brand and Russia’s strongest brand in any sector by Brand Finance, the leading independent brand-valuation and strategy consultancy. In terms of digitalisation, we rank fourth among all airlines globally.

While expert recognition and high ratings are important to us, the votes and opinions of our passengers are far more valuable. We are deeply grateful to all those passengers who choose Aeroflot when planning their trips, and who also find time to participate in our customer loyalty and satisfaction studies.

In 2017, Aeroflot was named Best Airline in Eastern Europe for the sixth time at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, based on feedback from passengers from more than 100 countries. American passenger association APEX, which gives out the US equivalent of the Skytrax awards, granted us the prestigious Five Star Global Airline status.

In China, Aeroflot has been named favourite international airline, ahead of Qatar, the market leader for many years. And based on passenger reviews on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel review site, Aeroflot was named best major airline in Europe and best business class in the world. We also took two nominations at the World Travel Awards — the Oscars of the travel industry — in the categories Europe’s Leading Airline Brand and Europe’s Leading Airline — Business Class.

Even in today’s geopolitical climate, more and more international travellers are choosing Aeroflot. This is why we believe we are ready for our next big step — to achieve official recognition as Europe’s best airline from Skytrax.

To achieve this goal, we have developed a comprehensive strategy to increase the quality of our service, both in the air and on the ground. We have already started to implement this strategy with our partners and colleagues from our hub at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. Our joint plans include creating advanced infrastructure, with upgrades to waiting areas and business lounges, improved digital navigation, automation of airport procedures, and much more.

A priority here is the personalisation of service at each step of your journey, and providing WiFi on our entire mid-haul fleet. This work should be complete in 2019, and you can already access the internet on all our long-haul aircraft.

Previous experience shows that airlines who have done well in the Skytrax rankings have been those who have succeeded in mobilising passengers to vote at www.worldairlinesurvey.com. I would therefore encourage you to participate and give us your vote.

AEROFLOT

As you can see by the cover, this edition features one of Russia’s folk handicrafts: Mezen painting. Aside from inspiring your creative side, the magazine will also fuel your appetite during the festive period. Read about what Russians once feasted on for Christmas from fried oysters to suckling piglet, before considering a road trip around the Kola Peninsula in the country’s far north...or perhaps you should do it the other way around. In fact, perhaps it’s best to start with our interview with Russian ballet star Diana Vishneva: the thought of all that dancing is sure to make you hungry. We’ve also covered the best eco lodges and natural resorts in the country so you can holiday with clear conscience. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Aeroflot

In the December issue of Aeroflot magazine we will tell our readers about the most interesting sporting and cultural events of the upcoming month, as well as new books and films. TV-host and actor Ivan Urgant will recall who made him laugh till he cried during the production of the film “Yolki Novye” (“Christmas Trees: New”), musician Pyotr Aidu will explain the notion of painting in sounds, Russian national curling team captain, Anna Sidorova, will reveal what she has to sacrifice for her dream of getting an Olympic medal, and writer Artur Givargizov will discuss whom he promised to perform 854 feats and why.

Materials in the Travel section will point beach lovers, alpine-skiing fans, and all-season seekers of cultural experiences in the right direction. A short guide to the best freeriding in Russia will reveal where you can enjoy the slopes, while also admiring the polar lights and chilling out at the spa. Meanwhile, the pick of Aeroflot's hottest destinations, featuring locales from Miami to Ho Chi Minh City, will let you choose the perfect escape from the winter cold. Also, expect walking tours of New York; dancing with manta rays on the Maldives’ reefs; a list of must-do activities at the Baikal Nature Preserve; and all the joys of the Les Arcs ski resort in France.

What does a jeweler and a confectioner’s job have in common, why freeze macaroons, and where to find gluten-free sweets in Moscow: the most tempting desserts from restaurant, cafes, and sweet corners of the Russian capital appear in our culinary review.

In the Archive section we will study the centuries-old love story between Moscow citizens and ice rinks, documented in numerous touching retro photographs; we will also look at the traces that ice-skating blades left in the Russian culture.

Aeroflot Premium

The memory and knowledge of the past fills out world, making it more substantial, inspired, and valuable. On the other hand, modern technologies disregard the past, and teach us to live in the present, appreciating the beauty of the moment. Winter holidays are a transitory doorway, through which we pass, unnoticeably, like a stream of delightful unrest, from the past into the future. We’ll be informed of the arrival of the New Year by our social media timelines, or, if we’ve already boarded an aeroplane and switched our mobile phones to flight mode, by the December issue of Aeroflot Premium.

As always, a New Year issue presents a selection of the most interesting and highly anticipated events of the month, hotel news, restaurant premieres, reviews of new automotive arrivals, the newest gadgets, the best books, as well as the best timepieces and fashion brands. Among the special reviews of the month — a few complimentary words about Russian champagne in the “Spirits” category, a gastronomic detective, dedicated to black caviar, in the “Gastronomy” section, as well as the New Year section “Gifts”, uniting eternal values, and the realities of social networks.

Columns and editorial materials in English await foreign readers of Aeroflot Premium.

Aeroflot Style

The December issue of Aeroflot STYLE brings us closer to the most festive night of the year, but does not forget to look back on departing 2017. In our Fashion section preparations for the New Year are in full swing! Velvet outfits, coloured satin, metallic fabrics, sequined footwear, brocade dresses, fairytale evening capes with feathers — everything to ensure that the coming celebrations go with a bang.

This month’s Jewellery section looks at trends for the New Year — eye-catching necklaces and stones of lollypop colours. Read our feature to find out why three major jewellery houses bought enormous unworked diamonds last year.

In the world of beauty the past year brought much that was interesting. Our “Beauty Dictionary” introduces new beauty terms and rules, as well as new faces and products.

This issue’s main personalities include “dragon mother” Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones, the principal TV series of 2017. She is accompanied on our pages by the promising actress Daisy Ridley and Russian designer Alena Akhmadullina.

And finally, read our Lifestyle section for a major New Year’s trip! A guide to the best new hotels, iconic ski resorts, excursions to luxurious grands cafés, and stylish New Year’s toys. Mmmm… I can’t wait for New Year!